What Do You Know About Hinduism?
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UWS An Inclusive Community UWS Multifaith Chaplaincy September 2008 What do you know about Hinduism? Followers of the teachings of the Vedas are called Hindus. Hindu staff and students form a substantial part of the UWS community. Acknowledging and respecting Hindu identities at UWS therefore requires, in part, a basic understanding of what Hinduism and being a Hindu is about. About Hinduism Hinduism originated and developed in India over the last 3,000-3,500 years. It is the majority religion in India. Hindus believe in one Supreme God who manifests him/herself in many different forms. Some of these include Krishna, Durga, Ganesh, Sakti (Devi), Vishnu, Surya, Siva and Skanda (Murugan). Hindus believe: • in the Vedas (scriptures) • there is one Supreme God who is the creator of the universe • in reincarnation • that everyone creates their own destiny (karma) There are four major Hindu denominations classified according to their respective focus of worship. Vaishnavism Vaishnavism worship Vishnu and his incarnations, particularly Krishna and Rama, as the Supreme God. Saivism Saivites worship Siva (also spelt Shiva) as the Supreme God. Shaktism Shaktas worship God as the Shakti, Sri Devi or the Divine Mother in her many forms. Hindu Dress Code Traditional Hindu women wear the sari. Traditional male Hindus wear the Smartism white cotton dhoti. Smarta Hindus view the different manifestations of God as equivalent. They accept all major Hindu gods and are commonly known as liberal or Women in particular may wear a dot (tilak) of turmeric powder or other non-sectarian. coloured substance on their foreheads as a symbol of their religion. For women, tilak is also considered a beauty mark. Dietary Requirements and Restrictions Hindu Religious Observance • The cow is considered sacred. Hindus therefore avoid eating beef. Place of Worship • Some Hindus are vegetarian and do not eat meat, fish, eggs or The Hindu place of worship is the temple. Most temples make up to five products made from these foods. Vegetarian and non-vegetarian daily offerings of food to the gods. Hindus also maintain one or more foods cannot be cooked together. shrines in their homes as the focus of worship. Worship can take place • Fasting is commonly practised on new moon days and during certain daily, at any time. religious festivals. Religious Text The sacred text of Hinduism is called the Vedas which is a Sanskrit word meaning knowledge and wisdom. There are four Vedas: Significant Hindu Festivals and Celebrations • Rig-Veda (Veda of Hymns) Navaratri/Nine Nights • Sama-Veda (Veda of Chants) Navaratri is a nine day festival dedicated to the worship of the deity Sakti. • Yajur-Veda (Veda of Sacrifice) The tenth day is known as Vijaya Disami (Day of Victory) in which prayers • Atharava-Veda (Veda of Atharvan) of thankfulness are offered. Each Veda is divided into three strata, namely: Deepavali/Diwali/Festival of Lights • Samhita: collections of hymns, chants and sacrificial formulas as Diwali (north India) or Deepavali (south India) is the most important and appropriate widely celebrated Hindu event symbolising both the lifting of spiritual • Brahmana: expository texts darkness and the renewal of life. It is celebrated by the lighting of oil • Upanishad: speculative treatises lamps called diyas in houses, shops and public spaces. It is also a time for wearing new clothes and feasting with family and friends. Diwali/ Deepavali is set by Hindu lunar calendar and therefore varies each year. Hindus in Australia Translated to the Gregorian calendar, it usually falls in October-November. • Hinduism was first introduced to Australia in the early 19th century with the arrival of Asian people as crew on trading ships and as Ganesha Chathurthi labourers on cotton and sugar plantations. This festival is celebrated on the chaturthi or ‘”fourth day” after the • In the 19th century there were also Hindu merchants, traders and new moon in the Tamil month of Avani (August-September). Ganesha camp followers associated with the British military and police, where receives special pujas (prayers) throughout the day, and his worship often incorporates a large festival parade. This festival is celebrated by nearly all they worked as cooks and horse stablers. Hindus regardless of sect and is especially pronounced in North India. • In the 2006 Census, over 148,000 people in Australia identified as Hindu. Makar Sankranti • In the 2006 Census, 0.7% of the total population identified as Hindu. Makar Sankranti is the first Hindu festival of the solar calendar and falls on 14 January each year. It falls on the day when the sun enters the zodiac sign of Makar (Capricorn) and when day and night are of equal duration. Variations exist in the way Makar Sankranti is celebrated throughout Respecting Religious and Cultural Diversity India. For example, Tamils of southern India refer to Makar Sankranti as at UWS the Pongal or Harvest Festival where families gather to rejoice and share their harvests. Offerings of rice and milk are made to the deity Surya, symbolising the sun. UWS Equal Opportunity Policy It is the policy of the University of Western Sydney to provide equal Mahasivaratri/Siva’s Great Night opportunity for all staff and students regardless of sex, pregnancy, race, Mahasivaratri is a Hindu festival dedicated to the worship of Siva as marital status, homosexuality, age, family responsibilities, disability, deity beyond time, form and space. This involves an all night vigil which transgender, political conviction or religious belief. does not finish until dawn when devotees may break a day long fast. It is considered mandatory for all Saivites. Mahasivaratri is based on the Multifaith Facilities Hindu lunar calendar, therefore dates vary each year. Translated to the Multifaith facilities are available for students and staff on all UWS Western (Gregorian) calendar, Mahasivaratri falls in February-March. campuses. For Meditation and Prayer Room locations: http://www.uws.edu.au/students/ods/chaplains References and Further Information ABC Religion and Ethics: Hinduism http://www.abc.net.au/religion/stories/s790133.htm BBC Religion and Ethics: Hinduism http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/hinduism/index.shtml Government of Western Australia – Office of Multicultural Interests: Culture and Religion – Guidelines for Service Providers – Hinduism http://www.omi.wa.gov.au/omi_guidelines.asp?choice=3 Hindu Council of Australia http://www.hinducouncil.com.au/ Hindu Festivals http://www.hinduism.co.za/newpage3.htm Hinduism Today: Hinduism http://www.hinduismtoday.com/archives/2003/10-12/44-49_four_sects.shtml Hindustanlink.com Hindu Festivals http://www.hindustanlink.com/festivals/hindu_festivals.htm IndiaOz: A-Z of Hinduism http://www.indiaoz.com.au/hinduism/index.shtml Kauai’s Hindu Monastery: Hinduism – The Basics http://www.himalayanacademy.com/basics/ Religion Facts: Hinduism http://www.religionfacts.com/hinduism/index.htm The Heart of Hinduism: The Four Main Denominations http://hinduism.iskcon.com/tradition/1200.htm Understanding Hinduism http://www.hinduism.co.za/ Wikipedia: Hinduism http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinduism ABC: The Sacred Site http://www.abc.net.au/compass/explore/hindu.htm Religions in Canada http://www.forces.gc.ca/hr/religions/engraph/religions00_e.asp Acknowledgement: Flinders University.